BUKASA SCHOOL MATCHING GRANT OPPORTUNITY!

In the face of many challenges, Pastor George is now required by the city of Kampala to provide larger and more adequate latrines to accommodate current and future student enrollment. The cost of the small, near-by plot intended for this purpose is $10,000- an enormous amount considering its small size and the poverty of the area. To build out the facility, George estimates an additional cost of $3,000. 

The good news is that we have an immediate opportunity to meet this challenge. A loyal Bukasa supporter has offered to match (up to $5000) what we raise in the next few weeks. Our fundraising window is now through May 31st. The city will not allow the summer semester, starting June 1, to proceed if the latrine issue goes unaddressed. If Pastor George can show earnest intent and initiate construction by early June, schooling can continue uninterrupted. 

Will you consider being a part of our Matching Grant campaign? Any and all amounts are welcomed- nothing is too small. Each donation will receive a tax-deductible receipt from World Partners. Funds raised above the matching amount will be used to help fund the future 7th grade classroom- another city requirement.

Please contact me with questions or for more information. On behalf of Pastor George and the students of EICC, thank you in advance for considering your part in our Matching Grant campaign. 

Blessings,
Bob and the iheartBukasa team

Check by Mail:
World Partners
P.O. Box 9333
Ft. Wayne, IN
46899-9333 (pay to World Partners; memo 'UUXO1' for Bukasa)

Click below to make an online donation.

Donate Here

Year-End-Giving

Dear Bukasa Supporters,

2nd/3rd grade students receiving shoes

Main characters in the Pig Project

     We are so appreciative of you and your generous support of Ever-Increasing Children’s Center in Bukasa Village, Uganda. Because of your faithful giving, during 2017 we have been able to provide support to Pastor George and his community in significant ways. Early in the year you contributed funds to allow expansion of the school to include grades 4 and 5. In July we sent a small team to Bukasa Village and provided shoes for 100 children, Bibles for local pastors, and donated a large quantity of basic medical supplies. In addition you provided an updated water purification system for the school, made it possible for several more needy families to enroll in the on-going Pig Project, and provided additional funds for teacher salaries.

Most recently, you responded with $4500 this fall for the treatment of 3 medical emergencies. We are happy to report that each patient is currently under professional medical care.

     As you consider charitable giving at year’s end please consider a financial gift to Ever Increasing Children’s Center. Funds donated now will help us work toward meeting the up-coming challenges of 2018, including:

*finishing the primary school through grade 7 ($15K total)

*monthly internet service to facilitate pastor training ($60-100 pr/mo)

*new Pig Project enrollees ($250 pr/fam)

*pig vaccines against swine flu, ($100 pr/yr pr/fam) 
*student sponsorships ($40 pr/mo or $480 pr/yr).

Dora and family- Pig Project participants 

       Every dollar you give will move iheartBukasa closer to helping meet the many challenges ahead.

I look forward to hearing from you by December 31. Please pray for us and our brothers and sisters in Christ in Bukasa. Blessings to you for a Merry Christmas! 

With gratitude for your partnership,

Bob Rhoads

The donate button below will take you directly to our iheartBukasa page on the World Partners website.

Construction on 5th grade classroom

Donate Here

Medical Treatment Being Arranged!

Dear Bukasa Supporters-

Margaret- Pastor George's wife

Thank you all for your response to the medical needs in Bukasa Village. Because of your generous giving we have been able to send $4,500 to be used for treatment of Frankie’s hydrocele/urinary issues, Margaret’s dental work, and for removal of Esther’s ovarian cyst. Pastor George wanted me to pass along his sincere thanks and gratitude for your love and concern. 

We are thankful that God has allowed us connection and friendship with these dear people and we are so appreciative of your partnership and faithfulness.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Bob and Bukasa Team 2017

Donate Here

Medical Needs:

Dear Friends of Bukasa-

Thank you for your continued friendship and partnership with iheartBukasa. We are grateful for your generous contributions that enabled us to travel to Uganda again this summer and provide hands-on support of the students, teachers, pastors, and women of the village. 

During our time in Bukasa we became aware of a few medical needs that have since become urgent in nature: young Esther (PG’s daughter) is in need of surgery to remove an ovarian cyst; Margaret (PG’s wife) is suffering with infected teeth- so much so that her jaw is badly swollen making speaking and eating difficult; and a young boy named Frankie suffers from a urinary/kidney infection. We have recently received $2000 of the $4500 necessary to treat these conditions. Would you please consider partnering with us now to help meet these immediate needs? 

Margaret, Faith, and Donna

Thank you in advance.
Blessings to you all,

Bob

Donate Here

B u k a s a B o u n d !

In just over 24 hours we depart for Uganda! As our Bukasa Team enjoyed a meal together last night, we welcomed our 9th member, Danielle Maillard, who has participated in each team meeting, since March from northern CA, via Face Time, Skype, and audio recordings. We finally got to meet face-to-face! 

After dinner we prayed over each member, practiced songs to present to host families in the village, and discussed last minute logistics. It's hard to believe that after 6 months of planning we will soon be on our way! 

Before leaving we wanted to express our love and appreciation to you- all of our supporters. Thank you for your continued encouragement, your financial support, for sponsoring many of the students, and for your faithful prayers.

We will have limited internet access to our communication and updates will only be occasional throughout our two weeks. We look forward to sharing our adventures with you when we return.

Blessings,
Bob

Donate Here

Garage Sale Results

Thank you all for your donated items and for your continued support of Ever Increasing Children's Center in Bukasa Village. On Saturday, April 1st, we hosted our largest and most successful garage sale yet! We are waiting to hear about the few items posted on Craig's List but so far the total sales amount to $1,655! 

I wanted to give special thanks to Jim, Charles, Anna, Marjorie, Nita, Andy, Madi, Ana, Marlene, Donna G, Donna O, Christine, and Sarah who came to help set up, sell, and clean up at days end- with a special salute to little James, who donated all proceeds from his donut/brownie booth.

       An important element in the success of our garage sale was Craig Sturges' Dodge Ram Truck! What a lifesaver! Yes, the white streak you saw flying around town was me as I drove the wheels off Thurs./Fri. collecting and delivering items from Westlake to NP. My task would have been murder in the VW bug my neighbor offered me. Glad I turned him down for a better ride. Thanks Craig!  

 

      With these earnings Pastor George will be able to complete the purchase of additional property to expand his school. Renovation cost ($1500) is the next hurdle to jump before his June 30th deadline.

 

      More news to come as we clarity the matching/supplemental gift offer we received earlier. We are grateful to you all and thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness and provision.

      If you would like to help Pastor George renovate his newly purchased property click the 'donate' button below. This link will take you directly to our World Partners page for an online contribution. Thanks in advance for your support.

Bob

Donate Here

Great News!

We now have a working relationship with World Partners, a branch of the Missionary Church in Ft. Wayne, IN.  

Starting today sponsorship checks, donations, and contributions can be mailed to

World Partners

PO Box 9333

Ft. Wayne, IN

46899-9333
260-747-2027

Please make checks payable to World Partners and write ‘UUXO1’ on the memo line.  Using WP’s accounting code for iheartBukasa assures that your donations will be  deposited into our iheartBukasa account. 

If you would prefer to donate online using a credit card, go to World Partners at https://wpartners.org/ministries/projects/iheartbukasa-uux01. Using the green ‘donate’ button you can make your contribution.  Also, if you wish, you can set up re-occuring contributions at this location.

Thank you for your patience during our period of transition.  We are grateful for your faithful giving to this ministry and for your on-going sponsorship of students.  Unfortunately, for reasons beyond our control, past records are not available so there is no way to accurately determine most recent contributions.  If you are willing to make up for missed payments, as best can be determined, we would be very grateful.  

Pastor George’s needs continue.  In satisfying a city requirement to accommodate grades K-7, he is currently mid-campaign in a new building project.  You might remember that your contributiions have recently helped him make a down payment of $5000 on an existing structure.  He needs an additional $2000 to complete the purchase and begin renovations.  Not only will this project provide two additional classrooms, bringing the school to K-5, but it will also be a show of good-faith, perhaps allowing them to remain open beyond the June deadline.  Contributions to this campaign can be made using either method listed above.  Thanks in advance for your contributions to this project.

Plans are being made for our mission trip to Bukasa Village in July.  We are assembling our team and will be booking airfare in the near future.  There is still time for you to join us!

Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.  I can be reached at b.d.rhoads@mac.com

On behalf of Pastor George and the teachers of Ever Increasing Children’s Center, we thank you for your love and partnership.  On behalf of our team state-side, thank you again for your patience and continued support despite our accounting problems.

Bob

PLI UPDATE:

        After repeated requests to the officers of PLI to clarify the status of un-cashed checks and to provide end-of-year statements, we have had no response and have terminated our association with them.  

Through a friend at church we have been put in touch with World Partners, a branch of the Missionary Church, in Ft. Wayne, IN.  They provide all necessary financial services to dozens of ministries such as ours.  After having us fill out forms and provide all necessary information the WP governing board met last week and approved our request to become a ministry partner.  Shortly, an account will be set up for iheartBukasa into which donations can be received, deposited, and receipted.  We will alert you with all necessary information as soon as everything is up and running.  

Thanks for your understanding and patience during this process. We look forward to our continued partnership and we are grateful for your continued faithful support.  Here’s to a bright 2017!

Blessings,

Bob 

Join us for Bukasa 2017 Summer Mission, July 1-13! 

     At Pastor George’s request our activities will include presenting VBS style activities for children; providing women’s Bible study; offering pastor training; providing local language Bibles for pastors and church members; visiting classrooms, teachers, and students; praying with students and parents in their homes; distributing children’s shoes; sharing personal lessons learned from Scripture; exchanging favorite Bible passages; and presenting encouraging, Christ centered messages to groups and individuals. 

Pastor George is in the process of  purchasing a building, adjacent to Bukasa School.  His goal is to transform it into classrooms thus accommodating two additional grade levels. This will be a step toward satisfying a city requirement of expanding the school to include fourth through seventh grades.  Depending on fund raising and speed of construction, the project might be far enough along for us to be able to help finish some aspects of the renovation while we are there.

During the many activities listed above we will also be building  relationships with new acquaintances as well as renewing and enjoying old friendships.  We’ll have meals together, share the gospel, discuss family, and  compare the every-day life of our different worlds.   

Besides serving in Bukasa Village we will also spend 2 days at God Cares Schools- one day each at the primary and high school campuses. These schools were founded by Pastor Dongo, who was the pastor of Kabalagala Pentecostal Church in Kampala, from which Pastor George was commissioned to plant the church in Bukasa Village. Some of you may remember that Pastor Dongo recently passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer.  The good news is that God’s work, through Pastor Dongo’s family, continues to thrive! 

Prayerfully consider your participation in our mission trip this summer. Call or email me (b.d.rhoads@mac.com) with any questions or for clarification.
Duration: 13 days
Cost:$2850 

We look forward to this journey as God prepares the way ahead. 

As we near the end of 2016 I would like to ask you to consider giving a special year-end gift to Bukasa School.  There are two campaigns currently in place to help make a life changing difference for the children and families of Bukasa Village:

1) Of the $21,000 needed to expand Ever Increasing Children’s Center to K-7th grade, $7000 has already been raised.  The school faces closure in Feb. if expansion is not underway by then.  

Construction not only expands the footprint of the school, it also provides local jobs- including positions for 2-3 additional teachers. It also ensures schooling for 40-60 more students.  Could you provide an additional gift to help us reach our goal?  

2) The Pig-Project has 30+ families on the waiting list.  With each gift of $250 (less than a set of tires, often equal to a wireless or cable bill) Pastor George is able to provide one male and 3 female pigs to a needy family.  This provides the family with a means of income (breed, sell, barter) and with a means of putting food on the table.  Each sow can birth 8-12 pigglets per litter with 2-3 litters per year.  Doing the math, it could mean as many as 72-100+ pigglets per family, per year!


Note “School” or “Pigs” in the comment box after clicking the "donate" button below.

On behalf of Pastor George I want to thank you for your prayers, your continued support, and your faithful giving.

Happy Thanksgiving with friends and family!  

BeachBoys 

Support Bukasa School

During my recent 50th high school reunion the BeachBoys were the featured entertainment.  At the close of the evening a BeachBoys autographed surfboard was auctioned off and $1150 was raised to help support Bukasa School! I am grateful for the donation and was happy to spread the word, among the 1000+ attendees, of Pastor George and his ministry.

 

A Visit and a Need!

         In late July we had a wonderful visit from Carol Biyinzika from Bukasa Village.  She was our guide, interpreter, friend, and traveling companion while were in-country during our mission trip there in 2014.  

As a nursing student she had the opportunity to join the medical staff for Team Uganda during their international netball competition in Miami, FL this past summer.  Luckily, Carol received permission to extend her stay and visit the Howlands in Santa Rosa, CA.  John and Lynda drove her to southern CA to spend several days with us.  She was introduced in church during weekend services and connected with many supporters and individuals who were interested in her story.  We held an open-house for her Sunday afternoon and welcomed those who wanted a more intimate and informal time with her.  We had a great time of catching up and introducing her to life in America!

Thank you to all who made Carol feel welcomed and loved.

Carol shared with us a dilemma that Pastor George is facing: the city of Kampala declared in early July that Bukasa School must expand facilities to include grades 4, 5, 6, and 7. Currently the school accommodates primary to gr 3.  If this requirement is not met by the end of the year, it is likely that they will not be allowed to open for the new school year starting in February, 2017.  Pastor George has found local properties to purchase that could be renovated to house the required classes.  The total cost of the buildings is $15K with a price tag of $6K for renovation.  Would you prayerfully consider your part in helping Pastor George acquire the funds to satisfy this new requirement?  All donations to Bukasa School, through Project Love International, are tax deductible.  Thank you for your heart for this ministry and for the parents and children of the village that will benefit from this new expansion.  

A Visit From Bukasa

Dear Friends and Supporters of Bukasa School-

Our good friend, Carol Biyinzika, from Bukasa Village is coming to Thousand Oaks!  While on our mission trip to Bukasa in 2014 Carol was our gifted interpreter and delightful companion.  She is working her way through nursing school and has been assigned as part of the medical support staff for a traveling Ugandan sports team.  While the team is in the USA she is taking a California side-trip to spend a few days with us.

She will be sharing news, updates, and current needs of Pastor George's school in Bukasa.  If you are considering joining us for Bukasa Mission 2017, Carol would love to talk to you.  She will be announced at Living Oaks Church and will be available in the foyer following each service to answer questions, make new friends, and meet many Bukasa supporters.  

The Bukasa 2014 mission team is hosting a reception for Carol on Sunday afternoon, July 24.  We are looking forward to you meeting her and having one-on-one time with her.  You will enjoy meeting this delightful and energetic young woman.  Hopefully she will ignite in you a passion to travel to Bukasa someday and experience this ministry for yourself.

What: Reception for Carol from Bukasa Village, Uganda

When: Sunday, July 24

Time: 3-5 pm

Where: Rhoads' house, 838 Silver Cloud St, TO

REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

We Invite You to Join Us as a Team Member on Our Summer 2016 Mission Trip to Bukasa Village, Uganda, Africa

       At Pastor George’s request, my daughter Blythe and I are working to assemble a mission team of various ages, backgrounds, abilities and experiences to serve in Bukasa Village this summer. This might be your first venture into short-term mission trips or you could be a seasoned veteran. No matter, you are invited to join us!

       The itinerary will focus on serving in Bukasa Village, but we will also spend at least 3 days at God Cares Schools- both the primary and high school campuses. These schools were founded by Pastor Dongo, who was the pastor of Kabalagala Pentecostal Church in Kampala, from which Pastor George was commissioned to plant the church in Bukasa Village. Sadly, as some of you remember, Pastor Dongo passed away this fall after a lengthy battle with cancer- but God’s work, through Pastor Dongo’s family, continues to thrive!
     Our specific tasks will be clarified in the weeks ahead as we have further dialogue with Pastor George. But we do know that, as in past trips, an important aspect of our visit will be to build relationships and share the gospel. We want to get to know the people we serve and they want to get to know us. We’ll enjoy meals together, share about our families, discuss every-day life in our homes and communities, share celebrations, fears, challenges, goals, and future plans. We’ll also be invited to share lessons learned from Scripture, exchange favorite passages, and present encouraging messages to groups or individuals.
       Pastor George recently purchased a building, adjacent to Bukasa School, with the goal of transforming it into 2 more classrooms- thus accommodating 2 additional grade levels. Completing this goal would mean expanding the school to include 4th and 5th grades. Depending on how quickly funds can be raised, the project might be finished by the time we arrive in Uganda or, if not, we may get to help with some aspects of the renovation while we are there.

                             Dates: July 3-15
                             Team: 10-12 members
                             Travel Days: 4 in air, 9 on site
                             Cost: $2,900
       
You can expect to be inspired by God’s work in Africa and you will be humbled by its beautiful and gracious people.  Please prayerfully consider your participation in our mission trip this summer, and contact me if your are interested:

Bob Rhoads 
cell: 805-428-5032 
home: 805-492-4020
b.d.rhoads@verizon.net

Mission Team 2014

Happy children

   

Students at work

Christmas Giving-

During this time of year when end-of-year giving is so essential to many ministries, would you prayerfully consider giving to Ever Increasing Children's Center? Your donation changes lives and helps provide valuable resources. Two important programs are underway in which you can participate.


PIG PROJECT: School administrators provide 1 male and 4 female pigs to needy families within the church body. Families “pay” for the purchase price by giving the first litter back to the school after the spring birthing season. When the litter “payment” is made their comittment to the church ends and all future litters belong to the family- to raise, sell, barter, or use as their own food source. The piglets “paid” to the school are managed by a gatekeeper and, when weened, are used to bless other families. Currently 12 families have received pigs. Your $200 donation will help the school provide four pigs to one of the 30 families on the waiting list. Click the “Donate”button below and designate your giving by noting “Pig Project” during the payment process.

STUDENT SPONSORSHIPS: Monthly tuition to attend Ever Increasing Children’s Center is $40. Since a worker's average daily income in Uganda is about $2 USD, most families are unable to afford educational opportunities for their children. Your $40 monthly sponsorship provides school fees, books, materials, meals, and a portion of the teacher’s salary. A sponsorship changes the life of one child forever. If interested please contact me for photos and bios of available children (b.d.rhoads@mac.com.

Garage Sale Success!

 Dear Bukasa Supporters-

        Since 2009, when we first traveled to Bukasa Village in Uganda, we have been hosting garage sales to raise funds to help support Pastor George's school.  Of the 28 that we have conducted so far we've never earned more than we did last Saturday.  If we reach between $800-$1000 we feel fortunate, so we are very grateful to report that we earned $1,307!

The goods we sell come from you: church members, Bukasa supporters, Bukasa student sponsors, neighbors, friends, and family members.  We host 3-4 garage sales per year and never lack for items- thanks to our many donating partners.  We advertise in the newspaper, on-line, and by word of mouth.  About two months before each event we put the word out to supporters and partners and they begin collecting items to donate.  

The picture below was taken Saturday, 11/14, but it typifies what takes place at every sale we have.  We often get a chance to share our mission goal, talk about the students and the village school, Pastor George and his work, etc.  The banner on the balcony is a great conversation starter.  We frequently get donations beyond the cost of the item being purchased.  By now, regular garage sale goers look for our ad in the paper.  They know we offer a wide variety of goods and at very reasonable prices.  Every dollar earned goes directly to Pastor George for his immediate need.   
Our current goal is to help Pastor George purchase an adjacent building in order to expand his school by adding two more classrooms.  The funds from this work, student sponsorships, and other gifts will go directly toward this goal.

KIF (Kingdom Investment Foundation of Tucson), thank you for being a valuable partner.  You have helped us the past two years by awarding us $5,612 in 2014 and $8,500 in 2015.  The total from these two generous grants ($14,112) would be equal to us earning our all-time best amount at 11 consecutive garage sales!  Considering we only conduct 3-4 per year, this amount represents 3-4 years of garage sale work for our support team!  We are so appreciative that with your support we have been able to shorten the timeline for Pastor George allowing him to build and expand his school much sooner than would be possible from our iheartBukasa ministry alone.  Thank you all for being the hands and feet of Christ for the children of Ever Increasing Children's Ministry. 

Many blessings to you all from our team,
Bob Rhoads

Pastor Dongo with Jesus-

     We just learned this morning that Pastor Dongo passed away late yesterday afternoon after struggling for many months with cancer.  Last year he spent long months here in the US to receive treatment for cancer originally diagnosed in his back.  While here, Dr. Pat Reiten, a long time friend and well respected local surgeon, served as his medical liaison.  He underwent surgery and follow-up treatment locally and then received further treatment at the City of Hope last winter.  He responded well and recovered here for a long period of time.  After many months of healing, he sought further recuperation with friends and supporters at his Texas God Cares support base. 

Pastor Dongo and Florence

Pastor Dongo returned home late last spring to a welcoming family and a happy church/school community.  He was feeling better and was eager to receive short-term mission teams throughout the summer.  In early fall he began experiencing pain and discomfort again.  Doctors feared his cancer had returned.  Because visa issues prevented him from returning to the US for further treatment, he and a team of doctors were currently considering the possibility of having US doctors travel to Uganda to administer treatment there.  

I was blessed to know this happy and energetic man of God.  His genuine concern for people and heart for children was an inspiration.  His vital and authentic life of faith was evidence of the life-giving grace of our Lord.  We are trusting God’s sovereign hand over Pastor Dongo, his work, the school, the children, his own family, and the ministry for the years ahead.  For the many who knew him, thank you for your prayers and support of his ministry.  Please be praying for his wife, Florence, their children, and for the many children whose lives have been changed through God Cares Schools.

        Connections:    

More than 20 years ago Pastor George was an active member of Pastor Dongo’s church in Kampala.  In 1996 he felt God’s calling to plant a church in Bukasa village.  With Pastor Dongo’s support he moved his family into Bukasa and became the local pastor and community advocate.  In 2009 I joined a short-term mission trip to serve Pastor Dongo and his God Cares ministry.  While there we were sent to villages to pray for these young pastors and for the churches they had planted.  That’s where I met Pastor George.  
     During the past 6 years Ever Increasing Children’s Center has grown from 20 students to over 120.  The staff has increased from four members to nine.  The impact of the school on children and families is immeasurable.  Pastor George is hoping to purchase adjoining property to allow for two more classrooms.  Property cost: $7,000.  If you wish to contribute to the building fund please do so by clicking the "donate" button below.

Blessings & Need

          Thank you for your continued and loyal support of Ever Increasing Children’s Center. Many children and families are blessed by your generous support. God is at work! Pastor George relayed this update to share with you the blessings being enjoyed in Bukasa and the need that still exists.

BLESSINGS:
          PG’s major focus is instituting ways to help the school become financially self sufficient. He is working toward this in these two ways:

 Pig Project:
          Twelve families now have pigs. Families on the 30-family waiting list will join the program as funds are provided. Families repay the initial $200 cost by giving the first litter to the school. The school, as well as the families, earn income by managing the herd- selling piglets, slaughtering adult pigs, etc. As long as the herd is managed efficiently, income is slow but steady.

Micro-loan Project: 
          The program began in August of 2014 with 32 people, four teams of 8 members. Repayment of the $75-$100 loan is required. If a member defaults team members must make up the difference or all will be disqualified from applying for future loans. Teamwork and interdependence is critical to success. Currently 54 people have received loans with all loans being repaid including one default, due to death of a member. With repayment of the initial loan, plus interest, funds are replenished making more loans possible. There are 70 entrepreneurs waiting to start a business that will help them earn income to support their families. 

NEED:

Family Care:
          Pastor Moses, PG’s brother, passed away Feb. 2014. His wife is unemployed and has lost her mud home during a recent storm. PG has taken on the care of these 6 additional people. His meager income is provided by church members but it does not cover the cost of his own family. If God prompts your heart, we need a family to stand with Pastor Moses’ wife and five children.  As little as $50-$100 per month would help with rent, daily food, clothing, and school fees.

School Property:
           A neighboring building is available for purchase at a cost of $7000. To convert it into school use is $4000. With this property the school would expand to accommodate P4 and P5.  Would you prayerfully consider contributing funds to make this purchase possible?

Pig Project: 
          Families are needed to provide the $200 purchase price of 4 pigs for families on the waiting list.

          Thank you in advance for praying for Bukasa and for your sacrificial giving. May the Lord receive glory and praise for your faithfulness.  You can partner with us in meeting the needs above by clicking the "donate" button below.

Blessings, Bob